Obtaining Adoption Records | Free Petition

Generally, a person must demonstrate "good cause" to a judge why he or she should be granted access to an unaltered adoption file to obtain the confidential information within the file.

This form allows you to prepare a "Petition To Unseal Adoption Records" with accompanying "Notice," "Affidavit," and "Order" to use as a template or file with the court where your adoption was finalized and should not be used until after you have first attempted to obtain your information with a Waiver Of Confidentiality and a Letter Requesting Non-Identifying and Identifying Information. Many states have laws already set into place that will provide you with this information without your needing a Petition, and may not recognize a Petition filed prior to the other documents. If you have not submitted these other forms, please go back to the Waiver Of Confidentiality and Non-Identifying/Identifying Information Request links. This Petition is the last document you should use.

There will be filing fees at the courthouse when you file your Documents. If you cannot afford the filing fees and you can verify your low income, ask the Court Clerk if they have a form you can fill out to request a waiver of court costs and filing fees. In some states this form is called an "Informa Pauperis" or "Affidavit of Impecuniosity." This form will most likely be an Affidavit declaring your assets and income that you will need to sign in front of a Notary Public.

If the Judge grants your Petition, the Court may also require nominal Fees from you for the search and production of documents, etc.

The statutes used in this Petition are up-to-date to the best of our knowledge and we are not responsible should the laws in your state change or for any mistakes inadvertently made on our part. Please email us if your state is changing its adoption records law or if ours to do not conform to your states requirements. We update statutes on a yearly basis. If you want to find the complete state procedures required in your state you will find the statutes listed for your state at Findlaw.

We very strongly suggest that you print out the following Questionaire so that you can have a "worksheet" to write the information onto prior to filling out the form online. This will give you the time to obtain all the necessary information you need, including copies of your current birth certificate, driver's license, and letter from your doctor (if needed) to use as attachments. Once you have your "worksheet" finished, fill out the questionnaire for your completed document.

If this seems overwhelming, just remember it is a court document that may get you the birth information you need, and take it one step at a time. It is a slow process and you will need lots of patience. If this is more than you think you can do yourself, please consult an attorney.

PETITION QUESTIONNAIRE

Fill in the name and address of the adoptee who will be filing the Petition with the court.

Select Your Title:

Your current name ("First, Middle Initial, Last"):

The full name your adoptive parents gave you ("First Middle Last"):

Your current street address (No Post Office Addresses):

2nd street address if needed:

City:

County:

State:

Zip Code:

Telephone Number:

City where you were born:

County where you were born:

State where you were born:

State where you were born or will file your Petition:

Your birth date:
/ /

Your adoptive father's name ("First, Middle Initial, Last"):

Your adoptive mother's name at the time of your adoption ("First, Middle Initial, Last"):

Enter the full name of the Adoption Agency or Attorney that handled your adoption if you know it:

Street Address Of Adoption Agency or Attorney:

City Of Adoption Agency or Attorney:

State Of Adoption Agency or Attorney:

Zip Code Of Adoption Agency or Attorney:

State where you will sign and get this Petition notarized:

County where you will sign and have this Petition Notarized:

Enter the name of the Court where your adoption was finalized and where these papers have to be filed, such as: Family Court, Probate Court, District Court, Supreme Court, etc. Sometimes these courts have a number in front of them. Be sure to include the number with this information. You can find the name of the court of record from your adoption papers or from the court clerk.

Enter the County that the Court is located in.

Enter the Court file number of your adoption if you know it.

Please type in the names and complete addresses of the health department (Vital Records Division), adoption agency, and attorney (if there was one) that you will need to notify of your request. Your state's Vital Records office locations can be found by clicking on this link: www.vitalrec.com.

Select one of the following paragraphs that most closely fits your situation. Your chance of having the Court approve your Petition is greater when medical reasons are indicated. If you are selecting medical reasons, a written statement from a board certified medical doctor indicating that it is critical that medical, psychological or genetic information be conveyed, and states clearly the reasons why this is necessary MUST accompany your Petition. Go to this link "Blog on Rejection and Failure" for an adoptees personal research and input on the mental and physical affects of being adopted if you are unsure of how to put your feelings into words.

I have a medical need for health information of genetic significance that may affect my physical or mental health.

I have children and believe that I have a responsibility to know about my natural family's medical and genealogical background for my family.

I am contemplating a future with children and believe that I have a responsibility to know about my natural family's medical and genealogical background for my family.

Select one.

I desire to be informed that registry records indicate that I have a biological sibling who has registered.

I do not desire to be informed that registry records indicate that I have a biological sibling who has registered.

When the questionnaire is finished and you hit the Submit button you will be taken to a page where you can verify the information you've put in. Please review your answers before you hit the PayPal button on that page. If you find a mistake, hit your back button and correct it before you move forward. Once you've hit the PayPal button and submitted your payment, the form is locked in place and cannot be changed. When you print your final document out, only print on one side of the paper. The court will not accept documents printed on both sides.

By hitting the SUBMIT button you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions listed on the Disclaimer page.